Committee Member

Second Committee Member

Keywords

Abstract

Inconsistent findings have been observed on the impact of hydration state on cognitive functions. The isolated effect of hypohydration on neurocognitive performance, balance, vestibular ocular motor function and mood outcomes in widely used concussion assessment tools has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate how hypohydration affected the results in concussion testing batteries. A single-blind randomized crossover design was used. Thirteen healthy males (22 ± 4y, 180.9 ± 5.7cm) without history of concussion within the past six months or any condition or disease that could influence outcome measurements participated in this study. Each subject completed concussion tests in two different conditions, hypohydrated (HYP) and euhydrated (EU) trials. During HYP, subjects restricted fluid and fluid-rich foods for 20 hours prior to the testing. Testers who were blinded to a trial assignment performed the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3), King Devick (K-D), and a brief vestibular ocular motor screening (VOMS) in a randomized order. Following testing, NASA Load Index and Effort Questionnaire were assessed. No significant differences were observed on ImPACT, Sideline Assessment for Concussion (SAC), Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and the Tandem Walk in SCAT3, K-D, symptom provocation in VOMS and NASA Load Index and Effort Questionnaire (p > .05). HYP increased number (p = .026) and severity of symptoms (p = .020) assessed in SCAT3 compared with EU. Additionally, subjects reported higher symptoms in VOMS during HYP (p < .05). Hypohydration produced concussion related symptoms. Our findings suggested that hypohydration did not negatively influence neurocognitive, balance, or vestibular ocular motor performance in the common concussion assessment testing tools.